The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations announced that another oil tanker was targeted by an “unidentified projectile” on Tuesday, July 7, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, sustaining structural damage. According to the agency, no casualties or environmental pollution have been reported from the incident.
The attack occurred just hours after two other tankers, one carrying Saudi crude oil and the other carrying Qatari liquefied natural gas, were targeted, escalating concerns over shipping security in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Three informed sources told Reuters that the crew of the Qatari LNG carrier was evacuated after the vessel was struck by a projectile. Reuters reported that the ship faced an explosion risk following the attack. This marks the first time since the onset of the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that a Qatari LNG carrier has been targeted.
Reuters also quoted maritime security sources as saying that a Saudi tanker sustained damage off the coast of Oman, with indications suggesting the vessel is the VLCC Wadyan. The exact cause of that incident remains unconfirmed.
Additionally, Reuters cited an anonymous U.S. official as saying that initial indications suggest Iran fired upon the two commercial vessels. Tehran has not yet responded to these reports.
